The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association

October 5, 2021

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The 2021 NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting is honored to welcome keynote speaker The Honorable Mr. Frank Kendall, the 26^th Secretary of the Air Force, who will discuss Recent Operations and Implications for the Future. Mr. Kendall is responsible for organizing, training and equipping the U.S. Air and Space Forces. This responsibility includes directing the Department of the Air Force’s annual budget exceeding $168 billion, providing Air and Space forces to combatant commanders for global military operations, and being accountable for the welfare of nearly 700,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian Airmen and Guardians and their families. […READ MORE…]

By US Transportation Command Public Affairs

The final weeks of operations in Afghanistan were marked by an airlift operation the Commander of US Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), GEN Stephen R. Lyons, USA, characterized as “herculean.” The final hours were no less herculean. […READ MORE…]

By Sharon Lo Managing Editor, Defense Transportation Journal and The Source

Congratulations to Gen Jacqueline Van Ovost, USAF, who has been confirmed by the US Senate to succeed GEN Stephen R. Lyons, USA, as Commander of US Transportation Command (USTRANCOM). […READ MORE…]

Editor’s Picks

The Workers Who Keep Global Supply Chains Moving Are Warning of a ‘System Collapse’
(CNN Business)  Seafarers, truck drivers, and airline workers have endured quarantines, travel restrictions, and complex Covid-19 vaccination and testing requirements to keep stretched supply chains moving during the pandemic. But many are now reaching their breaking point, posing yet another threat to the badly tangled network of ports, container vessels, and trucking companies that moves goods around the world.

Here’s How the New Continuing Resolution Will Frustrate the Pentagon
(Defense News) The Pentagon isn’t facing a government shutdown, thanks to an emergency budget extension passed Thursday. But that doesn’t mean top officials are without budget worries.

Is This the Next US Military Base in Europe?
(Defense One)  Lithuania built Camp Herkus to woo a permanent contingent of American troops. But the Biden administration is far from convinced.

House Passes 30-Day Surface Transportation Funding Extension Amid Infrastructure Stalemate
(The Hill)  The House on Friday night passed legislation to reauthorize funding for highway and transit construction programs that lapsed the day before in an effort to avert thousands of worker furloughs and interrupted projects.

Future-Proofing Merchant Mariners
(The Maritime Executive)  With declarations that the age of unmanned navigation is upon us, merchant mariners may worry that they’ll soon be unemployed. Yet as shipping technology evolves, they’re likely to find themselves in need of retraining rather than out of a job. To burnish their skills, many turn to maritime academies.

Boeing, U.S. Air Force Extend C-17 Sustainment Partnership with Phased Contract Valued at Up To $23.8 Billion
(Boeing)  Boeing will continue assuring the C-17 Globemaster III’s worldwide mission readiness through a follow-on contract awarded by DOD, valued at up to $23.8 billion. Under the agreement, Boeing will continue performing critical sustainment activities, including engineering, field support, and material management, for the global fleet of 275 aircraft.

Progress Rail and Norfolk Southern Collaborate on Tier 4 Locomotive
(Norfolk Southern)  Progress Rail and Norfolk Southern Corporation have collaborated on the first EMD GP34ECO locomotive built for yard and intermediate operations. The locomotive is currently undergoing testing to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tier 4 emissions certification requirements – the highest emission standard for locomotives.

U.S. Department of Defense Awards Production Contract to SAP Concur
(SAP Concur)  DOD recently issued SAP Concur a single-award production contract for what will be known as the MyTravel program, providing the DOD with a proven, always up-to-date, modern capability to book travel, manage travel-related expenses, and initiate travel-related financial transactions.

AAR and FTAI Aviation Announced a Joint Sustainability Initiative Helping Clients Cut Carbon Emissions
(AAR CORP.)  AAR and Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors have announced a joint initiative associated with their CFM56-5B and -7B partnership to help customers achieve industry-wide sustainability goals aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in international aviation.

Cambria Hotels Continues Brand Growth with New Development Option Providing the Flexibility to Expand in More of Guests’ Favorite Destinations
(Choice Hotels)  Cambria® Hotels, a brand franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. has introduced a new hotel prototype option to accelerate its growth in destinations where guests want to stay and developers want to invest. The prototype option will help provide developers the flexibility to build Cambria hotels at a reduced cost, while maintaining the sense of space, sense of place, and the core brand hallmarks upscale guests prefer.

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